Puritan Quote
“Excess of passion in opposing evil, though not be justified, yet shows a better spirit than a calm temper where there is just cause of being moved. It is better that the water run somewhat muddily than not run at all.”
-Richard Sibbes, from The Bruised Reed
Interesting quote. Personally, if the “somewhat muddy” water consists of burning my kid because he might be a witch I prefer to have the water not run at all.
Comment by Scott — December 5, 2006 @ 11:02 am
Scott, I can see your point. Perhaps I should have explained the context. The book is about recognizing sanctification in a new believer and not crushing the bruised reed that it is. (Hence the name of the book) I think his point was to say that it is better if a new believer stands up for an important issue than not at all, such as against open theology or for the sufficiency of Scripture. I think he is talking about new believers but his point is that though untempered the new believer’s zeal does show a love for God, and that zeal is a better indication of sanctification than in one than no passion for the things of God.
Scott, I hope you and your family are doing well.
Michael
Comment by Michael Pate — December 6, 2006 @ 10:25 am
I don’t see Scott’s point. If he’s implying that Sibbes put witches on trial or promoted witch burning, then he should give some historical evidence. To my knowledge, the man had no connection whatsoever to such trials. And whether or not Sibbes was a witch burner is a red herring. It has nothing to do with the passage quoted. It seems that Scott would dismiss what Sibbes says simply because he is called “Puritan”. But is that wise?
Comment by Kevin Foflygen — December 27, 2006 @ 11:02 am
Scott’s point is that religious fervor can be taken to an extreme (i.e. The Crusades and 9/11) and that it should not be advocated if it harms others. I don’t think he knows who the puritans are or what they were about so his misinterpretation of the passage was the result that I did not provide the whole context.
Comment by Michael Pate — December 27, 2006 @ 3:10 pm
My original post was mostly tongue in cheek with the understanding that there probably was more context to the quote (which Pate has now kindly provided).
I knew nothing of Richard Sibbes at the time I posted (and very little now after 2 minutes of reading), and since he apparently died a half century before the Salem Witch trials, I think it’s safe to say, he had no personal connection :). I simply drew the connection based upon the title “Puritan Quote.” I wince when people dismiss Christianity due the failings of people who claim to be Christians, so I wholeheartedly agree that the quote shouldn’t be discounted out of hand on the basis involvement of other “Puritans” in the Salem Witch trials.
That being said I do wonder if the quote treats an “excess of passion in opposing evil” too lightly (again there may be more context to this). Pate’s example of 9/11 and the Crusades, along with the Inquisition are all examples of this zeal gone horribly wrong. The Salem Witch trials are another example and the fact that they were committed by Puritans who were likely at least somewhat influenced by Sibbes’ writings, in my mind, makes the trials relevant to the quote. To me it’s pretty clear in a historical perspective that these excesses against evil can be a lot worse than “slightly muddy”.
On the other hand, gross periods of “calm temper” aren’t usually as historically salient so it’s hard to compare the large scale failings in the opposite direction (although the appeasement policies leading up to WW II come to mind). Are there other good examples of “calm temper” going horribly wrong?
On the smaller personal scale I’ve again seen the damage of excessive zeal and personally benefited from a friend display “calm temper”. I’ve talked to many people harboring deep resentment towards Christianity due Christians approaching them with a fire and brimstone style berating their sins. I came to Christ after someone who had witnessed plenty of my sins presented the Gospel to me without once mentioning everything I was doing wrong. Even after I accepted Christ, this person still refrained from nitpicking on any of remaining obvious sins (such as cursing), instead letting God reveal them to me. Maybe I would have matured faster if I had been confronted, or maybe I would have ended up feeling weighed down by all the rules, who knows.
Sorry for the essay :). It’s a very interesting quote. At this juncture I’m not convinced that there’s less damage in an “excess of passion” than a “calm temper”. I think equally dangerous would do for my tastes. :)
Comment by Scott — January 2, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
Scott, you could be right about Sibbes’ writing influencing events such as the Salem Witch trials and probably we will never know on this side of glory. In being almost finished with the book though I do know that Sibbes, in his book ‘The Bruised Reed’ which contains the quote, directs the book toward those who are suffering or young believers or those who are pastoring those who are going through such a time. I believe Sibbes would certainly not recommend harshness but I feel would extend grace as Christ did, showing the same example in not crushing the bruised reed or quenching the smoking flax. If you feel I have done damage to anyone with excessive zeal forgive me.
I don’t think Sibbes is arguing for excessive zeal in the life of a older believer or pastor but is saying in a sense that it is easier to temper a fire for God than to get one started over in a new believer.
But I recommend that you read the book. (Don’t worry it’s short) Or you might want to read ‘A Quest for Godliness’ by J. I. Packer which steps through a typical Puritan theology, which I would argue the church at large needs, including especially myself.
Maybe if I have time I will post a few quotes later here showing the tender side of Sibbes, which is basically the rest of the book.
Love you bro, have a happy new year.
Comment by Michael Pate — January 2, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
If you feel I have done damage to anyone with excessive zeal forgive me.
Not at all and I apologize if the post came across that way.
Comment by Scott — January 3, 2007 @ 12:29 pm